Series, episode 4. Marie-Julie Bonnin seen by her boss, the ex-footballer Philippe Lalanne: "a very structured, hard-working girl"

A former professional who moved into events and business tourism, Philippe Lalanne hired Marie-Julie Bonnin, who was won over by her smile and professional rigor.

"We met three times, and it was a match right away!" Philippe Lalanne hired Marie-Julie Bonnin last January for his events and business tourism agency Tutti Quanti. And don't think that the 59-year-old former professional footballer, who played for the Girondins in 1991-1992 (1), recruited her based on her name and her profile; on the contrary, he had hyper-selective criteria.

Or "a person who conveys my values, those of my company, an athlete, for the love of work, the courage. Coming from a sport where the life of athletes is a little complicated, which requires a lot of self-denial, effort for income that is often limited and difficult to sustain. Athletics seemed perfect to me, it's a discipline that I love, what's more."

"I contacted a former Libourne teammate, Claude Deriau-Reine, now at the Regional Sports Directorate (DRAJES), asking him if he had this profile, a girl, for rigor and precision. Claude gave me two names, emphasizing one: Marie-Julie Bonnin."

"We met a couple of times, and you know Marie-Julie: a smile on her face and, at the same time, a very structured girl, who plans everything. We talked, and she also asked me about my career change—a real exchange."

The collaboration began on January 1, 2024. "As a freelancer, she is developing the OFF Event brand within the agency, focusing on luxury, gastronomy, and events. She is responsible for creating its community, its network, around this brand.

At the same time, she is being trained by one of our staff in corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSR) to develop this aspect and these values ​​within events. Organizing trips to specific events is the medium-term goal.

Her contract? "We kept it simple. She works when she can. I told her, 'I know what it's like: the priority is your sporting career, it lasts ten years, you give it your all.' A top-level athlete can't be sure of their schedule: an injury, and there are physio sessions on the schedule, or a meeting added. Plus, MJ is serious and hardworking. With her, we're at peace. When she can, she works."

(1) He also played, notably, in Libourne, Alès, Reims, Gueugnon, Bastia from 1984 to 1996.

Find here all the parts of our series “A season with Marie-Julie Bonnin”